Networked Blogs Top 50 Natural Hair and Beauty Blogs Pt. 1

There are a whole host of Blogs and e-publications dedicated to the art of growing natural hair, dedicated to sharing information on how to make the journey an easy one. Most of these tributes to coiled tresses started as personal chronicles of the author’s own personal experience with “going” and staying natural that somehow blossomed into a labor of love to help educate others taking up the nappy cross.

For all Blogs, natural hair related or not, new media marketing tools are the paramount way to spread the word about their communiqués. Whether sharing a link via Twitter or enlisting the aid of social bookmarking sites like StumbledUpon.com or Digg.com, every successful hair Blogger knows the key to getting readers is to make their words as visible as possible. This strategy is no different when it comes to utilizing Networked Blogs.

Networked Blogs is a Blog directory site centered upon listing publications of a similar content nature together for the purposes of gaining the author’s work more exposure within their specific demographic. With over 300,000 Blog listings to date in a conglomeration of categories, Networked Blogs provides a way for Blog owners to network their sites with others, and easily share entries with a specific audience, as well as broadcast their work via their Facebook pages. This ease of operation provides a “low level” marketing strategy that when coupled with other efforts can help boast a Blog readership by marginal amounts. This is especially true for natural hair care centered Blogs.

Without further ado, here are the first 25 of Networked Blogs top 50 natural hair and beauty related Blogs that we feel you will find worthy of note. Each site is ranked based on its popularity within the Networked Blog directory and each provides insightful tips on how to cultivate your own crown of glory.

1. Natural Hair Rules: Founded by Tamara L. Floyd and coming in with an impressive 1099 NB followers, this Blog seeks to encourage and educate “naturalistas” on how to “be the woman that God created by [embracing] their natural selves.” With a voluminous collection of posts that provide style tutorials, product reviews, features of professional naturals who “keep it kinky” and even an enlightening series promoting breast cancer awareness (see “I’d Rather Die than Lose My Hair”, the second post in the series), it’s no wonder Natural Hair Rules ranks in at the number one spot.

2. CurlyNikki: If you’re a regular in the Internet natural hair community then you’ve no doubt heard about “the red couch” on this therapeutic Blog. With 871 NB followers, Nikki combines her love for natural hair with the training she received in Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill to educate not just on the aesthetics of strands, but on the foundation of esteem that governs our beauty choices. Seeing the journey as “neither a political statement, nor a 'back to nature' movement”, Nikki counsels on how to make hair an extension of a healthier lifestyle by working from the inside out and back again (see “My Hair Story”), making the journey more than just follicle deep.

*3: Afrobella: You'd have to have been cultivating your tresses under a rock if you have never heard of this mainstay in the Blogging community.  What started as a personal Blog to communicate Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik's personal progression with her kinks has grown to natural hair and beauty Blogging mogul-osity! Since 2006 Patrice, a Trinidadian "reformed tomboy" and contributor for Vogue Black, has been treating AB's 454 NB followers to product and makeup reviews, tips on style and fashion, musical treats, and even her thoughts on hair care politics (see "The Natural Hair Tax").  A cult favorite in napptural circles Net wide and in the Chicago area.

4. Blessed and Highly Textured: Newly relaunched at the beginning of the year and ranking in with 213 followers, Blessed and Highly Textured combines static posts with Vlogs (video blog entries) to bring Miss Marche’s hair-story to the masses. In tandem with her personal experiences, BHT provides a look at natural hair from a global perspective by “reporting” on textured topics that make the headlines (see “Time Magazine: Why Michelle’s Hair Matters”). Miss Marche’s take on the topic of textured tresses spans the culture divide and works to include coils of all ethnicities, which is a beautiful thing.

5. Thank God I’m Natural: Chris-Tia Donaldson’s book of the same name has been the rave in natural circles for the past couple of months, but with 160 NB followers the Thank God I’m Natural Blog showcases tips from the book as well as other goodies from Chris-Tia’s journey. In addition to covering hair issues, TGIN offers entries on how to lead a healthy life through diet and holistic exercise practices (see “Some Like it Hot: Getting Ready for Summer with Bikram Yoga”). The Blog also serves as a clearing house for Chicago based natural hair meetups and Ms. Donaldson’s book tour events.

6. Natural Nina: Part hair Blog, part beauty Blog, party healthy recipe foodie Blog, Natural Nina provides food for the mind, body and soul. The 145 NB followers of NN are treated to periodic advice on styling implements (see “Massive Snow Storm"), how to foster good eating habits for healthy hair and Nina’s own trial and error experiences with different products. A simple and unassuming Blog, Natural Nina forgoes certain pretenses to provide entries that are like laid back conversations with a trusted girlfriend. What this Blog lacks in presentation zing it more than makes up for in providing insightful information to the natural community at large.

7. The Feisty House: Spotlighting hair fashion and “high” fashion Koos and Jaye, the Blog’s authors, combine hair growth/styling entries with snapshots of the outfits that best “top off” the tresses. This natural duo provides their 115 NB followers with a taste of their own personal fashion sense, as well as a look into the lives of some of our most beloved celebrities (see “I Really Do Love Her Cut” ). One of the greatest assets of this Blog is a static listing in the sidebar of most used napptural terms and the common acronyms that describe hair length. If you are into creating stunning hair and clothing combinations, TFH is definitely for you.

8. All About Phe: With the subtitle of “Just Me, Myself and My Napps”, this Blog follows the yearlong braidloc journey of PhePhi and her various style incarnations. Also featured in AAP are snippets of the author’s daughter’s braidloc experience (see “A Perfect Solution. A New Journey") and the styles that have been created for her. Although not as multifaceted as its predecessors on the list, with 86 NB followers, All About Phe provides a focused look at the progress of cultivating locs, and highlights the necessary focus that’s needed to make the experience a success.

9. Afroniquely You: Through Afroniquely You, Shae offers a multi-tiered, yet comprehensive, bank of content for its 79 NB followers. While essentially no different than other natural hair Blog listed here as far as content and focus, where AY differs it in its set up which allows each reader to be directed straight to the topics that are of specific interest. In this way, veterans don’t have to wade through natural hair elements they’re mastered, and newbies can get off on the right curl without being overwhelmed by “higher level” issues that come past your first year (see “Hair Basics: What You Should Know”). Well deserving of its ten 5-star ratings!

10. Nappy and the City: With 77 NB followers this Blog is a compilation of the author’s personal experiences on her journey to natural. Quetta, the Blog's creator, provides her readers with product reviews, spotlights on salons in St. Louis, MO and other elements of interest to the STL natural hair community (see “St. Louis Natural Hair Forum") while maintaining an “Oprah-like” presentation of her topics and issues. While some of the links are broken throughout the publication, it is still pretty easy to navigate and well worth the read.

11. Savvy Brown: Not just a natural hair Blog, the Savvy Brown Blog is your one-stop e-shop for living a “greener, healthier life… on a budget”. Expanding her desire to live a healthier life while diminishing her carbon footprint, Savvy Brown shares hair and skin care recipes with her 73 NB followers, as well as offering yummy food recipes and warnings concerning some of our most popular food and beauty ingredients (see “Dangers of Hydrogenated ‘Anything’ Oil”). The topics presented on SBB are well researched and the advice tempered with the frugality of her readers in mind. An excellent source for a completely natural life.

12. Natural Chica: Mae is one of the hardest working natural hair Bloggers in the business, and all 63 NB followers know why. The Natural Chica Blog is not just about Mae’s own journey, but it is a medium that tirelessly showcases the stories of other natural chicas who are making their mark as natural hair business owners and stylists, and she even features a Natural Chico or two as too (see “Natural CHICO: Meet C.KhiD"). In short, the Natural Chica Blog is a universal celebration of natural hair from every possible aspect of the experience, covering the products, styles and personalities that make “going natural” a worthwhile journey.

13. Chocolate Orchid: Produced by a self-proclaimed “natural-hair, health nut diva”, Chocolate Orchid tempts its 61 NB followers by combining hair lessons with tips on healthy eating. A bit off the beaten path than most, this Blog presents a total wellness package with entries about juicing, how to properly mix Ayurvedic treatments and even the power of positive thinking (see “Optimisim Does the Body Good”). Nestled in between the posts on how to look and feel beautiful are inspirational quotes, handpicked by the Blog’s author, that feed the soul. The hair entries are different than the norm, which may prove to be a breath of fresh air for some.

14. Kinky Rhonnie’s Spot: Simple and elegant, quirky and lighthearted, Kinky Rhonnie offers product reviews, giveaways and practical advice on how to keep hair growing. There is a focus on herbal hairdressing and Ayurvedic treatments (see "Aryurvedic Hair Care Remedies"), giving her 60 NB followers an alternative to commercial components which may contain harmful ingredients. The Blog presentation is casual and “sistahly” and the air presented in the Blog is void of all the “rules” that seem part and parcel of “going natural”. This Blog also contains a shop where readers can attain all the products shared.

15. Kinnks Natural Hair Blog: An element of Blog, natural hair resource directory and merchandise shop, Lady Kinnks provides her 58 NB followers with the full monty. She covers styles, products and maintenance routines, as well as offers her take on natural hair conspiracy theories ( see “Movies with Natural Hair Creatures”). A unique feature that is attached to the Kinnks Blog is the Kinnks Online Directory which allows readers to list their sites, services, events and resources to be shared within the Kinnks community and beyond. So not only does the Kinnks audience receive insight, they are able to give it as well.

16. Essence of Me: This is a lifestly/entertainment Blog of sorts which offers book reviews, the author’s weight loss efforts and a taste of some of the author’s favourite music and videos. But nestled in the midst of these components, EOM’s 53 NB followers are treated to the author’s seven year journey through transitioning and loc’ing via pictures.

17. Natural Hair Resource: Although not bursting at the seams with content, this Blog provides its 46 NB followers with entries on hair typing, reasons for going natural and protective styling options (see “Protective Hairstyles”). The author couples YouTube finds and rich images to demonstrate/illustrate her points, and provides updates on her own progress.

18. Luxe Glam: If you couldn’t tell by the name, this Blog is all about ways to glam up the hair, the skin and the face. “J’dore” Brittanie Jones combines the best of all beauty worlds and shares not only her experience with “going natural”, but makeup tips and tricks to help accentuate her glamorous style choices. With 45 followers partaking in the Makeup/Beauty Glam Shop, product ingredient discussions (see “Are Your Beauty and Hair Products Killing You?”) and various product giveaways, this is definitely a Blog that will appeal to the natural hair diva in you.

19. Addicted to All Things Pretty: This is another glam Blog which blends elements of natural hair maintenance with cosmetics for its 45 NB followers’ pleasure. While there aren’t very many personal updates, AATP does provide product price comparisons and reviews, tips on how to achieve celebrity looks and reports on beauty supply stores in the Inglewood and Compton, CA area (see "Sol Beauty Supply Store in Inglewood, CA"). A great attribute to this Blog is the author holds no punches in her product reviews, offering readers “the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between” in her assessments.

20. Naturally Voguish: With a sleek appearance that is easy to navigate, this Blog provides “hair-spiration” by way of posted pictures of natural hairstyles. Subtitled “Curly & Girly (sometimes)” NV’s allows its 43 NB followers to follow the beginnings of the author’s hair journey and her product recommendations. Although a bit bare and in need of a makeover (per the author’s last post), this Blog contains a few nuggets of past wisdom that can help keep you inspired and rooted your own natural path.

21. Afro Glitz Hair: Weighing in with 42 NB followers, Afro Glitz Hair is a subsection of Afro Glitz Magazine which deals with both the commoner and celebrity parts of the natural hair community. While showcasing the beauty of ethnic hair with photo entries of models sporting natural styles, Afro Glitz Hair also takes on weightier issues like natural hair in the workplace and even in the 70’s era military (see “Military Meets the Afro”). Because of its magazine-like format, AGH is different than most natural hair Blogs because it offers opportunities for its readers to take part in providing content, granting the publication a varied perspective.

22. Miss Moon’s Musings: This Blog is yet another multi-faceted publication which pairs the love for and cultivation of natural hair with conscious living. Describing herself as a “Brooklyn Geechee” (see “About Me: So What the Eff’s a BROOKLYN GEECHEE”), Audrey, a.k.a. Miss Moon, gives her 41 NB followers product reviews, style updates, “music therapy” posts and even a post or two featuring her favourite recipes.  Miss Moon’s Musings isn’t just a hair Blog, it is a whole Blog that covers every component that makes up the women who bears the tresses, making it gumbo for the natural soul.

23. All Naptural: Headed up by the DC Natural Hair Examiner Laquita Thomas-Banks, All Naptural blesses its 40 NB followers with updates that chronicle each step of her journey since 2008. Featuring miles and miles of stylistic pictures covering twists, box braids, twist outs and ponytail puffs, All Naptural shows why Laquita was chosen to cover the DC area’s ever growing natural hair community. Alongside her hair care posts, Laquita proudly displays a link to her Esty shop where all of her handmade soaps, shampoo bars and hair teas can be purchased. AN is not as glammed up as other Blogs, but no less a powerhouse in the informational department.

24. FYECURLS: Graduating from a Blogspot hosted Blog to one sporting its own domain name, FC is sure to continue bringing its 40 NB followers product reviews, style tutorials and pictures of the creator’s glorious curls (see "Wash n’ Go"). She’s just starting out on her Blogging journey but is sure to be among the nappy community's celebs soon.

25. Queen Natural Beauty: Gives its 39 NB followers a taste of natural hair activism, chic fashion and inspirational photos to keep the natural fire burning within. Alongside the Blogging efforts, QNB also provides Queen Natural Beauty TV and speaking engagements as a part of the Queen Natural Beauty 365 Challenge, aimed at keeping natural newbies and veterans updated on natural products, styles and other related issues (see “We Are Coming to Your City”).

And there we have first 25 of the top 50 natural hair Blog listed in the Networked Blogs directory. Again, this list is a compilation based on each Blog’s popularity within the Networked Blogs directory, and not a true representative of its overall popularity and readership. But even with that being said, this list does provide a grouping of some of the best natural hair publications on the Web, allowing newbies and vets alike to find just what they’re looking for to make their journey a personal triumph. We suggest you visit each and evaluate them for yourself to discover which suits your napptural fancy, and then honor them with a follow.

Tomorrow we will do a rundown of the remaining 25 natural hair Blogs, which will include the Columbus Natural Hair Examiner’s publication Journey Back to Me, as well as the Blogging efforts of Ife Blount, the Columbus Women’s Issues Examiner.

List source: http://www.networkedblogs.com/topic/natural_hair

* Due to a technical glitch Afrobella's Blog was initially omitted from the list. 

** Did you find this article insightful, entertaining or noteworthy? Well there's many more like it to come, so consider subscribing to the Columbus Natural Hair Examiner to have updates delivered to your personal Email address. You can also receive updates by following us on Twitter or joining our Facebook Fan Page. We thank you for your readership and encourage you to spread the word! **